Street Photography

Feb 26 2018

Details Behind My 100 Major Cities Project

Big City, Small World

During the Miami Street Photography Festival, I gave a guest artist talk covering my 100 major cities project. After the talk, I found that many people who’d been following my project work or the blog never really knew the extent of the actual project. So, I thought I’d share some of the details from that project talk here to provide a better understanding of it all. While I refer to it as the 100 City project on the blog for ease of following along, the actual tentative title of the full project is “Big City, Small World.” It’s a 5 year, 7 day a week, always on the road project. So, it truly is my life right now. Here’s more info so you can see what really goes into it.

Project Basics:

Start Date: June 2015 (3 years down, 2 to go)

Time: 5 Years (4 years of mostly non-stop photography on the road, 1 year to finish and put it all together)

Place: Over 100 major cities across most major regions of the world

What: Themes and observations connecting all life. Candid, daily life photographed in all parts of major cities, in all parts of the world.

Distance Covered (walked): On foot, I average over 20 kilometers per day year-round (including travel days). So, after 4 years, a rough estimate will be 30,000 kilometers walked in city streets around the world, camera in hand. (20,000 miles)

Above, is the slide from my talk and tracking for the last full month of working on the project. While 20mi/30km per day is a little higher than average, below is from the current month and shows a more average month of 15mi/22km per day. Over 50km walked in one day is still my record, though (in City #60 Seoul, South Korea).

What does major cities mean?

For this project, I’m only focusing on major cities. A city qualifies if it meets one of the following three criteria (in order of importance to me):

It is the country’s largest city
It is the country’s capital
It has over 1 million people in the metropolitan area

If it meets more than one of those, even better, but I’m also trying to spread the cities out as much as I can to cover all major regions of the world.

Why only major cities?

Maybe the most common question I get, especially from non-photographers, is “Why major cities? Why not the more interesting and beautiful places?” In general, big cities seem to get a bad reputation and most people don’t understand why I’d choose to photograph them. Well, that’s part of the reason right there, but here are the many reasons I chose to focus on major cities:

They supply a wider variety of places and activity to photograph, with many layers of life to discover.
I want this to be more about daily city life, not travel life. I find the complexity of big city life shows a variety of connections with less of a travel feel.
I want more people to be able to recognize and connect with their city’s inclusion when viewing. Covering major cities connects more people worldwide. Even people who don’t live there have a better chance of knowing the place.
Outside of the most famous big cities, a surprising amount of major cities haven’t been photographed very extensively over the years.
I enjoy seeing old photos from big cities. Personally, I find the changes and differences more interesting in major cities.
Big cities are challenging to capture with interest, especially on the surface. Unique interest doesn’t always jump out at you, as it does in exotic locations, but it’s there if you look for it.
I’ve never seen a photo project of this scale focused on major cities. Most photographers choose to photograph the more picturesque or exotic destinations. While to the average viewer, this might be preferred, to me it can feel shallow and common. It’s been done so often, with photos that mostly look the same. Big cities have a depth you can really get inside and I want to attempt to photograph that.
Many people think big cities are all the same, but they’re not. Many people also think they aren’t a “real” representation of the country, but they are.
Everyone asks me, “Why major cities?” So, hopefully I can show them why.

“100 City Project” is not the project title, only a reference

I use “100 City Project” on the website as something easy for people to follow along. While photographing 100 major cities is a goal of the project, this only serves as the framework, or canvas, of the project. When finished, the actual book and focus will be more than that, with a title to match. While tentatively titled “Big City, Small World,” the title won’t be decided until the book is completed.

Travel or Street?

One important thing to me is that it doesn’t look or feel like travel photography. I’m traveling and photographing, but that’s not what my focus is on. It only serves as a way to cover the variety of life in big cities. I want candid, daily life. I want a street aesthetic mixed with a bit of documentary. I want my own style and interests to be seen and felt. I want the places and time to be present. I want authentic connections to be shown. And most importantly, I want it to convey my vision for the project. Travel photography is far from that vision.

Taking Risks

I try to visit a variety of areas in each city to get a full scope of life. This means I venture many places that aren’t as safe and don’t see outside visitors. It can be an interesting experience seeing reactions to a foreigner outside of the more touristic areas, but most of the time things go really well. I want to photograph areas that aren’t as seen and many times these neighborhoods have a more authentic and unpolished feeling, which I’m attracted to. It does mean I have to be extremely alert, though, as I’m always out with my camera alone. Fortunately, during the day, there’s a lot you can do minimize risks, but things still do happen and I’ve luckily gotten myself out a number of bad situations. In some cities and regions of the world, most of the city ends up being unsafe, but these places are also less photographed because of it. So, I want to take that risk as an opportunity. And many times, as a bit of an adventure too.

Do I have as much fun as you think? (Not even close!)

I know many people think I’m living the dream, but while I am working towards that when it comes to goals, I’m far from living the dream when it comes to “fun” right now. Honestly, I don’t have time, or money, for much fun at all. It’s all about the project.

While I am traveling the world, I’m not traveling in the way people imagine. It’s all work and no play. I never do touristy things, make time to relax on the beach, or let myself be very social. I live by the lowest/cheapest means possible. Everything is focused on completing the project and working on this website.

During the day, I’m out hitting the streets, focused completely on photography and exploring a variety of the city life. During the night, I’m on the computer working. 8 hours on the streets, 8 hours on the computer, Sleep around 6 hours. Researching cities, writing posts (guides takes the longest), interviewing others (sometimes being interviewed myself), going through photos, answering emails and questions from readers, working on other parts of the blog, teaching workshops, making money where I can, and handling the many problems that come up from living on the road. It takes up my time more than any 9-5 job ever did. Alone on the road, moving somewhere new nearly every week with no time for anything else other than the project gets old. And depressing at times. The number of times I’ve wanted to quit is countless. But it’s all for a goal I started and something I believe in finishing. I don’t like to quit anything and when it comes to this, I haven’t given myself much choice now. I’ve put myself all in on this one.

How do I do it?

Another common question is how am I able to do this project, especially when it comes to cost. Sacrifice is the main answer. I had to quit my career, leave my home, sell most of my belongings, and say goodbye to family, friends and relationships, losing many in the process. I had to give up any comforts and risk it all for something that has no guarantees. I also have to live by minimal means. I have few belongings and rarely buy anything other than basic food. At best, I stay in hostels. At times, I may sleep in a tent outside in Port-au-prince, Haiti or a public bathroom in Berlin, Germany (not proud of that last one :) ). Even then, I’ve gone from very comfortable to very broke. Make no mistakes, I won’t be making any posts about how to get rich off photography anytime soon.

My Major City Approach:

Physical:

I research places to shoot before and make a list of areas and spots of interest.
I explore each place on the list, while trying to walk everywhere and find new places on my own.
After exploring everywhere, I finish my time going back to the places I found the most interesting, or that can best add to the project.
Walk, walk, and walk some more.

Mental:

I approach each city the same, almost as if they are the same place. I want no preconceived ideas of the people or place changing my approach. I want to treat them all the same with my camera. I’m looking for the basic components of all people and daily life, no matter their situation and environment. While things might look different, we’re actually not all that much different.
I do try to get a feel for the place, though. Find what interests me and what stands out. I want the place and time to make its way into the picture too and find the little things that make each place special.
I’m not looking for photos to go along with my specific themes. I want them all to come naturally. Still, over time I notice what stands out to me.

Will I have any side projects during this time?

Yes. The largest side project I have going is titled “Oddyssey” (Yes, it’s spelled with two “d’s” on purpose). I’m often attracted to the strange when it comes to photography and “Oddyssey” will showcase the many odd scenes I see around the world during my travels. I plan on printing a zine/paperback book for the first volume this summer.

I also have other smaller, ongoing series, including “Cell” and “Havana Colors,” which you can find on my personal website. With all the photos I take, more series will likely be realized in the future too.

Common themes and observations of life

While the outline of the project is photographing 100 major cities across all major regions, the content and substance will be more than that. This won’t be a travel photography book showcasing photos from each city. I will try to include photos from most cities and show the range of life the scope of the project provided, but following a themed approach and story will be what the final book will be most focused on.

When starting this project, I wanted to find common connections found in all people, places, life and cultures. The things that make us all human, no matter the environment and background. Daily life is where you see these basic connections the most so that’s where I wanted to look for it all. Over time, I noticed certain things everywhere I photographed life. Of course, some common connections can come from my personal vision and interests, but overall I feel there are certain basics you see everywhere among people. Within these common connection themes, I also want there to be a connected story. The book will be divided into chapters covering these observation themes and stories.

Now, that I’m over two-thirds of the way into shooting this project, my common themes of life are mostly locked in, but there still could always be some change and I might narrow/combine them down to five. Here’s where they’re currently at, though:

Themes & Observations of Daily Life:

City Environment: Mood/Atmosphere/Color
Busyness/Monotony
Humor/Strange
Mystery/Surreal
Edge/Danger
Love/Relationships
Age/Stages of Life

Here’s a few sample photos that could fit into my different themes…

Environment: Mood/Atmosphere/Color

Busyness/Monotony

Humor/Strange

Mystery/Surreal

Edge/Danger

Love/Relationships

Age/Stages of Life

70 Major Cities Down, 30 To Go…

So, there you have it, a little more info behind this long-term project. It’s been a roller coaster, but I hope to be finished by early 2019. With 30 more major cities to go, be sure to click the full map below to see where I’ve photographed and what’s coming. As far as the blog and photography goes, most work is yet to come out too. So, stay tuned for a whole lot more here.

Feb 20 2018

City Street Guides by f.d. walker:
A Street Photography Guide to
Quito, Ecuador

*A series of guides on shooting Street Photography in cities around the world. Find the best spots to shoot, things to capture, street walks, street tips, safety concerns, and more for cities around the world. I have personally researched, explored and shot Street Photography in every city that I create a guide for. So you can be ready to capture the streets as soon as you step outside with your camera!

Quito

Feb 12 2018

33 Street Photography Photos of Carnival in Barranquilla, Colombia

After Medellin, my last stop in Colombia was city #43 Barranquilla on the 100 City project. While Barranquilla is one of Colombia’s largest cities, it’s most known for its Carnaval celebration. South America’s 2nd biggest Carnaval happens here, while providing a very different scene compared to the continent’s biggest in Rio de Janeiro. While not as crowded and elaborate, you get a more intimate Carnaval experience in a package that’s still bigger than every city outside of Rio. Barranquilla’s local, yet welcoming and crazy Carnaval experience is one you won’t find anywhere else.

So here’s 33 photos that I was able to capture during my time in Barranquilla…

Feb 05 2018

7 First Impressions of Barranquilla, Colombia : Carnival Edition!
(From a Street Photography Perspective)

After Medellin, my last stop in Colombia during my 100 City Project ended with a bang in City #47 Barranquilla, for its famous Carnaval celebration.

Barranquilla is an important industrial port and the fourth largest city in Colombia with over a million people, but it’s best known for its annual Carnaval celebration. Most of the year, nearby cities like Cartagena and Santa Marta attract all the visitors compared to this working class urban sprawl, but once a year Barranquilla packs its streets with the South America’s second largest Carnaval. While Rio de Janeiro’s celebration is the largest, I’ve now experienced them both and might have to give the edge to Barranquilla when it comes to which is more enjoyable. The intimate craziness of the celebration mixed with the friendliness of the people make it special. I wouldn’t really recommend visiting the city any other time of the year, but if its Carnaval time, then Barranquilla makes for an unforgetable experience, especially with your camera.

So here are my first impressions of Barranquilla, from my personal Street Photographer perspective…

Feb 01 2018

Master Profiles: Raymond Depardon

* “Master Profiles” is a series profiling all the great photographers of uncontrolled life. Unlike the rest of the blog, I’m doing these in a straight profile format to make it easy for quick access to facts, quotes and work from all the masters. I’ll also group them together here every time I add a new one.

Profile:

Raymond Depardon (1944-Present)

French photographer known for his photojournalist and documentary film work.

Jan 29 2018

City Street Guides by f.d. walker:
A Street Photography Guide to
Havana, Cuba

Havana

Jan 25 2018

My Annually Updated Top 10 Cities for Street Photography (2018)

The number one question I’m asked is “What’s your favorite city for Street Photography?” From friends and family to strangers and emails. The truth is I can’t deal in absolutes or favorites with most anything, especially when it comes to answering that one. There are things I like about most cities that make them memorable in their own way, and there’s too many things dependent for me to pick just one above all for street photography. But I can pick some that personally stand out a little more and tell you why.

So, now that I’m over half way towards my goal of photographing major 100 cities, it’s time for a 2018 installment of my Annually Updated Top 10 Cities for Street Photography. Heading into its 4th year, only cities I’ve photographed so far during my 100 city project are eligible. So, check the list here before you get mad at me for not including cities like NYC or Tokyo yet (They’re coming this year, though).

While last year did bring the most cities covered, and plenty of strong competition, there actually isn’t too many changes to the list this year. A couple of new cities made their way into the Top 10, but the rest proved too solid to get edged out. You can see some of the strongest and most memorable competition from the year here, though. You can also see which cities were edged out from last year’s list here, and we’ll see how much next year’s list changes with even more cities up for inclusion.

My Annually Updated Top 10 Cities for Street Photography

(for 2018)

Istanbul, Turkey
Havana, Cuba
Saint-Petersburg, Russia
London, England
Mumbai vs Kolkata, India
Odessa, Ukraine
Cairo, Egypt
Paris, France
Marrakech, Morocco
Hanoi, Vietnam

1. Istanbul, Turkey

Istanbul holds a special place in my heart so I might be a little biased here. It was the first of my 100 major cities project, and the jumping off point for this blog and mix of plans and goals I’d set for myself. I lived here much of 2015, so I got to know it better than most cities too, but personal bias aside, I can’t imagine Istanbul not being towards the top of any street photography city list. Istanbul truly has it all.

Being the capital of three empires helps cram the city with so much to offer a photographer that other cities can’t compare. Culture, history, religion, politics, people, diversity, character, conflict, architecture, sea, sunlight, color, old world, new world, and the list goes on. It’s many worlds of atmosphere packed into one city. It’s no surprise it needs two continents to contain it.

You could live here for years and only touch the surface. The energy and atmosphere of Istanbul is what I miss the most, though. It feels more alive than other cities, with a raw beauty that I haven’t found anywhere else.

2. Havana, Cuba

If you imagined the perfect city for street photography in your head, Havana might be what you’d picture. It’s extremely walkable, full of character, color and life around every corner, as photo friendly as it gets, almost too easy to shoot in, and all with an atmosphere frozen in time. The opportunities for photography are endless here. You can just walk in any direction and explore away.

Havana is also a city that invites you in with the people like not many, so it’s a complete experience for photography. The amount of times I get invited for a drink or even into someone’s home in Havana is something that you don’t experience elsewhere, especially in a large city.

Still, while Havana is no secret among photographers, people question me about it as much as any. “It seems too hyped, over photographed, packed with clichés, every photographer’s destination,…” and so on. And while the old car type clichés of Cuba do deserve caution when here photographing, it’s mostly a bunch of nonsense. You won’t find many photographers that have been here that regret it. Most fall in love just like everyone else. And believe it or not, there’s still plenty to photograph here. So my advice is to just ignore the clichés and get over here as soon as you can.

3. Saint-Petersburg, Russia

Saint-Petersburg is probably the least hyped and talked about city on my list, so why is it up at #3? Because people just don’t know how good it is. Now, the time of year does makes a big difference, but if you go in the summer, it doesn’t get much better for street photography. The winter can be beautiful in its own way too, you just won’t have many hours of light.

The summer in Saint-Petersburg might be my favorite place to be for street photography, though. The sunlight is out 20+ hours a day and the beautiful city is full of life just as long. More than that, though, there’s just something magical about the city. The canals, pastel colors, architecture, bridges, islands, hundreds of parks, and more give it this surreal atmosphere that has to be experienced. The life and people are full of character too. Many people go about their life without any care of what others think, so it’s not uncommon to see older women and men sunbathing in their underwear. At the same time, you have many people who care a lot, so you see a variety of fashion and looks. It’s a big, magical city with a mix of so many things.

4. London, England

London is as well-known as any city in the world, and as famous for street photography as it gets, but sometimes cities don’t live up to their fame. London isn’t one of them.

One of my favorite aspects of London are all the different neighborhoods, each with their own character. It’s like different villages grew until they combined into one large city over time. It isn’t like New York or Tokyo, where skyscrapers dominate over you. London doesn’t feel overwhelming for a city its size. You can spend your days exploring parts of London on foot and get completely different atmospheres when it comes to photography. Some areas are chaotic and crazy, while others are quiet and relaxing. There’s something around every crooked, winding street, and you never know what it will be.

The biggest knock on London is the weather, which I can’t say is undeserved, but if you get some sun, the light here is special and it’s really hard to beat this city. It’s as dynamic and fun to shoot in as it is famous.

5. Mumbai, India vs Kolkata, India

Mumbai was here on last year’s list, but I honestly expected Kolkata to knock it off this year’s list. Having already been to both cities in the past, Kolkata had originally left the best memories for street photography. But after returning to Mumbai in 2016 and Kolkata in 2017, while photographing them more in-depth, Mumbai closed the gap in my mind. It’s difficult to choose between them, as they each bring different pluses and appeal. India is so packed with cities for street photography that I’m just going to include both cities under one, while explaining their different appeals.

Mumbai is the financial, commercial and entertainment capital of India. If you go by population, Mumbai is the largest city in the world’s second largest country. If you go by money, it’s the wealthiest city in India, but with some of its most extreme poverty. Mumbai is also India’s most diverse, cosmopolitan and westernised city. Basically, Mumbai is everything and more.

Bazaars and temples, colonial architecture and skyscrapers, bay promenades and fishing villages, Asia’s biggest slums and Bollywood stars’ most expensive homes. Mumbai is filled with a variety of scenery and life that rivals any city in the world. It’s filled with an urban energy that consumes you and endless interest that keeps you wanting more. All of this adds up to one of the top cities in the world for street photography.

While not quite as big as Mumbai, Kolkata is still one of India’s biggest cities. Yet, it has a noticeably different, more easy-going and welcoming atmosphere compared to the others. It’s a city made for walking and street photography. While India’s other large cities are more spread out, Kolkata feels like you can walk everywhere. It has a special, old world feeling mixed into a big, urban city. It feels authentic, filled with culture and a chaotic, yet friendly vibe. The colonial-era architecture contrasting with urban slums, it’s also gained a reputation as the most friendly of India’s metropolises. While it might not be as known with the general traveler, it is known among the photography community. It’s made for bringing your camera and exploring away.

If I really had to choose between the two, I’d say Kolkata is easier and more enjoyable for a shorter visit, while Mumbai provides more variety and interest the more time you have. They’re both as good as gets for street photography, though.

6. Odessa, Ukraine

I have to include a city from Ukraine, one of my favorite countries in the world for street photography. Kiev and Lviv both get high recommendations too, but if I had to choose one, it would be Odessa. I included it in last year’s list, but actually returned again since, which only cemented its place as a personal favorite.

I went to Ukraine for the first time in 2015 and fell in love. So much so that I’ve returned both years since. I like places that feel authentic, are full of character and mood, while being a little rough around the edges. Ukraine is all this more than any place I’ve been. There’s nothing fake about the atmosphere and it doesn’t feel over photographed. It’s more untouched, while still being a large country with plenty going on. And the markets are the best you’ll find anywhere. Odessa’s Privoz Market is no exception.

Odessa provides this atmosphere that I love, but adds the Black Sea and more. It’s become the country’s top vacation getaway with beaches that fill up during the summer. The city is filled with history and character, while being extremely walkable. You can enjoy the pedestrian streets, old courtyards, parks, and markets in the city, and then take a walk to the beaches to enjoy the very unique character, and characters, that fill it. They aren’t the typical tourist beaches you might be used to, either, which provides even more interest for street photography.

7. Cairo, Egypt

It doesn’t get any bigger or historic on the list than this ancient city turned chaotic metropolis. At 22 million people, this urban sprawl famous for the pyramids is packed with history, crumbling character, chaos, and endless neighborhoods to explore. Cairo has a one of kind atmosphere making it a special place for street photography. Even its signature golden brown hue becomes part of its photogenic charm.

Cairo might not have a reputation as the cleanest, quietest city, and there are touts and hassle to endure, but it’s more than worth it here. It’s also not as overly tourist crazy as it used to be, making the hassle and distractions a little less, and the authenticity even stronger. With Cairo’s sheer size, buzzing streets, and variety of interest, it provides endless opportunities for exploring without ever losing inspiration. It might be a little more for the adventurous and bold than other cities on the list, but it’s a city I immediately want to return to as soon as I leave. There’s just too much to miss as a photographer.

8. Paris, France

The city credited by many as the birthplace of street photography would be hard to leave off my list. When thinking of the classic black and white street photos from the past, scenes of Paris come to mind first for many. That’s a lot of hype to live up to when times change and the city is photographed as much as Paris, but for me, it still doesn’t disappoint.

There’s a lot more to Paris than the classic romanticized image of the city, though. The center of Paris, especially around streets like Rue de Rivoli, provides plenty of that classic picturesque street photography atmosphere, which is what will attract many photographers. And of course there’s the impressive parks like the Tuileries Garden, the scenic Seine River and all the famous architecture. All of these spots provide the atmosphere that makes Paris one of the most visited cities in the world, and why it’s so photographed, but what puts it on the list for me is how it also provides a much different atmosphere in many places.

Paris isn’t all beauty and romance. It’s also one of the edgier cities in Europe. This edginess in many areas does come with some negatives, but it also brings character, interest, a different atmosphere, and, in my opinion, photo opportunities that are very different from the clichés you might relate to Paris. It’s a city with a lot to offer, on both sides of the spectrum when it comes to your definition of beauty.

9. Marrakech, Morocco

Marrakech is probably the most challenging street photography city on the list, but it more than makes up for it in photo opportunities and atmosphere. It’s one of the more interesting cities for street photography that I’ve been to, not only for the rich variety of life and scenes to capture, but also for this challenge that it brings. While comparatively, not a photography friendly city, it is one of the most photogenic cities you’ll find. Many photographers come here for that reason, but leave frustrated if they’re not prepared for the challenge. You have to be on your game if you want to get close, candid shots.

If you’re ready, though, you’ll be rewarded with all the life, colors, chaos, atmosphere, unique charm, and more that Marrakech has to offer. It’s chaotic, full of touristic hassling and haggling, and comes with some challenge, but as far as non-stop photo opportunities, it ranks as one of the best cities I’ve been too. There’s so much happening everywhere, so many characters and interesting people, so much color and beautiful scenery, and it’s all mixed in with a unique look that is all Marrakech. And that beautiful sun is always above making sure you have no excuse not to go out and capture some that.

10. Hanoi, Vietnam

I’ve been based in Ho Chi Minh City since 2016 and love the city, but when it comes strictly to street photography, I have to be honest, Hanoi is even better. Vietnam’s capital has endless character, charm, plenty of places to shoot, some of the most photography friendly people you’ll meet, and packs this all into a very walk friendly city. Being thousands of years old, you feel the city’s age when exploring the streets. It can feel almost like groups of villages packed into one big city with the authentic, old world atmosphere it exudes.

Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) is a great city which some photographers might prefer, but Hanoi is so much older and filled with even more character. They share many similarities, including the friendliness of the people, but Saigon is a little more polished, urban and spread out, while Hanoi is more walkable and gives a little more of the exotic. If big city skyscrapers and development are your preference, then Saigon might win out, but for me, Hanoi has a very attractive blend of big city and old world. Both cities are highly recommended, though, so visit both and decide for yourself.

For 2018, I have plans to photograph around 30 more major cities across 4 continents so we’ll see how this list gets shaken up next year, but with 66 cities down already, every one of these cities comes highly recommended and are sure to provide an amazing experience for street photography, and more. (To see what cities I have tentatively planned for this year, check here.)

Jan 22 2018

33 Street Photography Photos from One Week in Medellin, Colombia

After Bogota, came city #43 Medellin, Colombia on the 100 City project. Nicknamed the City of Eternal Spring, Medellin sits in the central region of the Andes mountains, giving it a warm, yet cool climate that matches its personality. Medellin has one of the more picturesque mountain backdrops around, but the beauty doesn’t stop there. Coming from a past reputation of danger, it’s become one of the safer, most welcoming major cities you’ll find in Latin America. From the vibrant neighborhoods to the people to the cable car views, Medellin is easy to fall in love with.

So here’s 33 photos that I was able to capture during my time in Medellin…

Jan 18 2018

Top 5 Cities of 2017 for Street Photography (Year #3 during the 100 City Project)

2017 was year #3 of my 100 city project, and my busiest year yet with 26 new major cities. It was the first time I was constantly on the road year round without any break. So, with all those new cities explored and captured, which ones stood out more than others?

To give you a sneak peek of some of what’s coming this year on Shooter Files, I’ll go over some highlight cities that stood in 2017, including my top 5 for street photography of the year. Will any of these cities knock their way into my annually updated 10 favorite cities for street photography list? We’ll see next week, but for now let’s start with the past year’s city highlights.

Starting with a focus on street photography…

Top 5 Cities of 2017 for Street Photography

(in no particular order)

1. Cairo, Egypt

It doesn’t get much bigger or historic than this ancient city turned chaotic metropolis. At 22 million people, this urban sprawl next to the pyramids is filled with activity and a variety of life around every corner. It had been on my list for a while, but it ended up surpassing all expectations. While its sheer size and buzzing streets might not be everyone’s cup of tea, I quickly fell for Cairo’s one of a kind atmosphere. Personally, I like big cities because of the variety of life and interest to explore, but it needs to set itself apart from the rest. And Cairo definitely does that.

It feels ancient, while also feeling gigantic, with a wide mix of character that is hard to beat. The history, the crumbling character, the chaos, the unique neighborhoods and the signature golden brown hue all come together to make one of my favorite cities of the year for street photography. Yes, it’s not the cleanest, quietest city, and there are touts and hassle to endure, but it’s more than worth it in Cairo. It’s a city I could definitely spend a lot more time in for street photography, while also being a city that would provide endless substance and variety.

2. Almaty, Kazakhstan

Almaty is probably the city on the list that will surprise the most readers, but that’s because it’s also the most unfamiliar to most. Almaty has a lot going for it and that unfamiliarity only helps its charm. It’s in Central Asia, off the beaten path for most travelers, but its an easy introduction to the region.

One of the first things you’ll notice in Almaty is the beautiful backdrop of mountains that line the city. Along with those mountains comes plenty of nature in an urban setting. Not many cities this size provide so much nature with parks, tree-lined streets, mountains, rivers, natural pathways, and more mixed in. While this really makes it an enjoyable and unique atmosphere for street photography, it’s not the only thing that sets it apart.

Sitting between Russia and China, you have a strong blend of their influences in Kazakstan. This is seen in the character and atmosphere of the place, and people. One thing that Almaty brings more than much of the Central Asia region, though, is a strong European vibe mixed in too. This blend mixed with its fair share of quirks adds to Almaty’s unique interest and provides one of the more memorable cities I visited for street photography this year.

3. Kolkata, India

Kolkata is the one city on this list that I’d been to before. Years ago, it had been the first city I’d visited in India and held a special memory for me. So, I had to come back to include it in the project. It might not be as popular as many other Indian cities among general travelers, but Kolkata is well-known among photographers. For good reason.

It’s a big Indian city made for walking and photography. India’s other large cities are more spread out, but Kolkata feels like you can walk everywhere, making it a great experience for street photography. The former capital of British India is also a city that mixes the old world with the new in a chaotic combination that only India could do so well. There’s a distinctive charm here that stands out, even in India. The colonial-era architecture contrasting with urban slums, it’s also gained a reputation as the most friendly of India’s metropolises. From the famous Howrah Bridge and flower market to the street markets and street food, Kolkata is made for bringing your camera and exploring away.

4. Port-au-prince, Haiti

Port-au-prince was one of my last stops of the year and ended up being one of my favorites. It’s not an easy place to come photograph and it’s not exactly set up for visitors, but if you’re adventurous, the experience and life here is more than worth it. The city comes with plenty of warnings and at first look, they might seem warranted, but don’t judge a book by its cover here. No matter what I hear, I like to jump in and see for myself, and that’s what I did here. Taking the back of “tap-tap” trucks as transportation, I explored most parts of the city on foot and had some of the more memorable experiences of the year.

Alex Webb once said there’s a dynamic of horror and beauty that Haiti uniquely possesses and I think that’s a good description. With burning trash, crumbling buildings and chaos filling the streets, it might look scary at first, but there’s a beauty within all that rubble. The colors, the culture, the vibrance and the people make it a special place that I can’t compare to anywhere else, other than maybe parts of Africa. By the end of my time in Port-au-prince, I was freely walking solo throughout the city and loving every moment of it.

5. Ethiopia

Of course, I know Ethiopia is a country and not a city, but it stands out more than any other place of the year. Since I can’t single out one city from it, I’m going with the whole country for #5.

In Ethiopia, I covered Addis Ababa, Harar and Dire Dawa, with each bringing their own unique character along with a shared Ethiopian atmosphere. At around 4 million people, Addis Ababa is the big city of the bunch. Here, you get a taste of urban metropolis mixed with Ethiopian flavor. Piassa brings some colorful old world charm, while Addis Mercado is the largest open air market in Africa. While most come for the more rural side of Ethiopia, this chaotic, traffic-filled sprawl can be overlooked. Underneath that less pretty urban exterior is much more than first meets the eye, though, especially for street photography. Harar, on the other hand, should appeal to a wider variety of photographers. I’ve been to a few walled cities and this is easily my favorite. The atmosphere, the people, the colors, the light and everything about it made it a great experience for street photography. Dire Dawa was my last stop on a recommendation by photographer Yves Vernin and it became my favorite surprise of the year. Although, it is the country’s second largest city, you won’t find much info on it, but you will find unique character and atmosphere. Along with the most colorful street I’ve walked, there’s an interesting blend of influences in Dire Dawa that provide a different feeling than the rest of Ethiopia. I only wish I had more time there.

Honorable Mention: Johannesburg (Soweto), South Africa

While I really enjoyed the city of Johannesburg, much more than I was told I would by everyone, it still has too many risks and dangers to put it in my top recommendations for street photography. At least, as a recommendation to others. The center is full of no-go zones and while I did go to those zones with my camera, it was an experience in parts, to put it nicely. Saying that, there is a lot of character and interest if you like taking risks, like me.

Johannesburg’s township of Soweto, though, stands out too much for me to not include it as an honorable mention. The largest township in South Africa doesn’t come with the best safety reputation, either, especially among locals, but in reality, as the city center becomes more dangerous, Soweto isn’t as dangerous as it once was. There’s still definite risks, but spending a lot of time here, I felt a warmth from the Soweto community that I didn’t feel anywhere else all year. Most people are extremely friendly and walking the streets here takes you to a different place, full of life and an older, close-knit feeling. People love to start conversations and many were even looking out for my safety more than I was. Without a doubt, it’s a top 5 memory from the year and if you get the chance, I’d highly recommend spending a night or more here to experience it.

Other Memorable Cities from 2017

The above selections are focused on street photography, which includes the whole experience of shooting there, in addition to the photography. Cities like Medellin, Colombia and Cape Town, South Africa stand out in my memory too, though, but more for just being generally great places to visit. Cape Town for its beauty and Medellin for its all around vibe and enjoyment.

Dhaka, Bangladesh wins for the most welcoming experience ever, thanks to all the wonderful photographers there. And while I rarely let myself have too much fun on the road, outside of photography, shooting the Carnival in Barranquilla, Colombia was the most fun I had all year.

Riga, Latvia is another city that quickly comes to mind for its special character and Mexico City was a great major city to finish off the year, but truthfully, I find something memorable in every city I go, especially as a street photographer.

All of these cities, and more, from 2017 will bring posts, photography and guides in 2018 on the blog so stay tuned for that. And if you have a chance to visit any of them before I post guides, feel free to message me for some recommendations (you can always find an updated list of cities here).

Now, it’s time for 2018 and another full year of major cities to photograph for the project. 66 major cities down, 34 to go…

Jan 15 2018

7 First Impressions of Medellin, Colombia
(From a Street Photography Perspective)

After photographing Bogota, next up in Colombia for the 100 City Project was Medellin (City #48).

Medellin is the second largest city in Colombia, but with a vibrant life that feels even bigger. Still, at around 3 million people, it’s no small city to begin with. Nicknamed the City of Eternal Spring, it sits in the central region of the Andes mountains giving it a warm, yet cool climate that matches its personality. Medellin has one of the more picturesque mountain backdrops around, but the beauty doesn’t stop there. From the neighborhoods to the people to the cable car views, Medellin is easy to fall in love with. In my opinion, it’s a top 3 city in South America, especially to live, which seems to be backed up by all the expats moving here. And to top it off, it’s gone from one of the most dangerous to one of the safer major cities you’ll find in Latin America.

So here are my first impressions of Medellin, from my personal Street Photographer perspective…